Nathan Sharpe has agreed to stay on with the Wallabies due to the lack of experienced players in the current Test set-up.

The 34-year-old had initially planned to quit rugby in July, but was convinced by coach Robbie Deans to play for Australia in the Rugby Championship.

Given the current injury situation, Deans has once again asked Sharpe to postpone his plans to retire and lead the Wallabies on their four-Test tour of Europe this November.

The Wallabies are short on experienced locks, with regular skipper James Horwill and veteran Dan Vickerman having succumbed to injury earlier in the year. They have also lost several leaders like Will Genia and David Pocock, and Sharpe is one of the few left standing.

‘You only have to look at what he has achieved with the group since he took over as captain,’ Deans said.’His influence has been immense, he is arguably playing the best rugby of his career but, most importantly, he is enjoying the experience.

‘Sharpey’s presence and leadership has been a constant throughout the year – one of the few aspects of continuity that we’ve had through a season that is probably without precedent in terms of disruption.’

Sharpe played his 111th Test last week to become Australia’s most capped forward in history. He will extend that record when he leads the Wallabies this November.